Series installation device arrangement

ABSTRACT

A device arrangement includes a number of series installation devices which can be snapped onto a mounting rail by way of a snap-action slide interacting with a slide actuator. It further includes the synchronous actuation of a plurality of snap-action slides, a comb-like coupling part which is connected in captive fashion to the slide actuator. Such parts are to be coupled and include a coupling web which runs transversely to a number of joining arms and connects the latter.

This application is the national phase under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCTInternational Application No. PCT/DE00/00905 which has an Internationalfiling date of Mar. 24, 2000, which designated the United States ofAmerica, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device arrangement with a number of seriesinstallation devices which can be snapped onto a mounting rail. In eachcase, they are preferably snapped by way of a snap-action slideinteracting with a slide actuator. Preferably, it is possible, for thesynchronous actuation of a plurality of snap-action slides, for theslide actuator of the latter to be coupled to one another.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A device referred to as a series installation device is usually onewhich has one or more poles and can be snapped onto a mounting or DINrail. In order to fasten such a series installation device, e.g. acircuit-breaker or a similar switching or control device, on thestandardized mounting or DIN rail, one or more snap-action slides areusually provided. Each of these slides, in the retaining connectionbetween the device and the mounting rail, engages behind a mounting-railborder.

In order to release this retaining connection, DE 297 103 10 U1discloses the practice of coupling the snap-action slide to a releaselever in the manner of a toggle link. Upon actuation, forces aredeflected, via the release lever serving as slide actuator, to thesnap-action slide interacting therewith. The slide actuator here isexpediently of web-like design, the webs being spaced-apart and parallelsidepieces which are integrally formed on a handgrip of the slideactuator. The slide actuator formed in this way thus leaves free betweenthe webs or sidepieces, a sufficiently wide connection space for aterminal connection.

In the case of the known configuration of the slide actuator, connectingelements in the manner of a groove and tongue contour are provided inorder to allow coupling of the slide actuator located one beside theother in multi-pole devices. As a result, the snap-action slides inmulti-pole devices can be actuated synchronously by a singlemanipulation. It is only possible for single devices to be displaced onthe mounting rail, aligned thereon or released therefrom by way of theslide arrangement when they are arranged separately or at a minimumdistance from adjacent devices. In the case of single-pole devices, thelaterally projecting tongues of the slide actuator are thus cut off.Analogously, in the case of multi-pole devices, the tongues of the slideactuator are thus cut off. Analogously, in the case of multi-poledevices, the tongues of the slide actuator of the two outer devices areremoved. However, on account of the additionally necessary operatingstep, this is extremely undesirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is thus to specify a device arrangement ofthe type of which the slide actuator, in particular in the case of aseries installation device of two, three or four poles, can be actuatedsynchronously in a particularly straightforward and reliable manner.

This and/or other objects are achieved according to the invention by thefeatures of claim 1. For this purpose, there is provided a separatecoupling part which is connected in captive fashion to the slideactuator which are to be coupled and are thus to be actuatedsynchronously. The coupling part here is of comb-like design and has acoupling web which runs transversely to the number of joining arms andconnects the latter.

The provision of such a separate coupling part also makes it possiblefor the slide actuator of series installation devices with two, three,four or more poles to be coupled subsequently. The respective slideactuator may thus be coupled when the corresponding devices have alreadybeen snapped onto the mounting rail. It is preferable, however, for thecorresponding devices to be synchronized already, in terms of theirslide actuator, at the factory in a preliminary assembly step by way ofthe coupling part. As a result, the device arrangement or device groupas a whole can be positioned on the mounting rail on site. Otherwise,i.e. with the devices uncoupled, it is also possible for the slideactuator of the latter to be actuated individually when the devices arearranged directly one beside the other, and thus with virtually nodistance between them.

The connection between the coupling part and the slide actuator may be areleasable connection, e.g. a screw-connection or a clip connection. Itis advantageous, however, to provide a non-releasable joining connectionbetween the coupling part and the slide actuator which are to becoupled. The joining connection here is expediently a combined plug-inand snap-action connection.

For this purpose, an advantageous configuration provides, in respect ofthe joining arm, a plug-in connection with the respective slide actuatorand, in respect of the coupling web connecting the joining arms, asnap-action connection in the manner of a catch mechanism with the slideactuator which are to be coupled. For this purpose, on the one hand,there is advantageously provided on the coupling web a number ofsnap-action elements, which, in the joining connection, engage behindblocking contours provided on the slide actuator. This corresponds tothe number of slide actuators which are to be coupled. On the otherhand, the slide actuators have an abutment contour which is designed tocomplement a supporting contour provided on the joining arm. In thejoining connection, each joining arm, which is supported on the abutmentcontour via its supporting contour, is then fixed in position in therespective plug-in connection with the slide actuator. This realizes areliable and thus secure joining connection between the coupling partand the slide actuators which are to be coupled.

Those contours on the joining arms of the coupling part, on the onehand, and on the corresponding slide actuator, on the other hand, whichbutt against one another in the plug-in connection are expedientlydesigned as centering contours. For this purpose, the contours areadvantageously configured in the form of a wedge or of a V with acentering angle being formed in the process. In this case, the centeringangle of the abutment contour of the slide actuators is greater than thecentering angle of the supporting contour of the respective joining arm.

The slide actuator, which are expediently configured in the same way forall the series installation devices, can also be actuated individually,and thus independently of one another, if a plurality of devices arelined up in a row directly one beside the other, with no distancebetween them. It is thus possible for each series installation devicedesigned in this way to be used equally as a single-pole device andwithin a multi-pole device arrangement.

It is advantageous for the slide actuator of each series installationdevice to be closed, in the initial state, by way of a membrane in theregion of the plug-in connection of the coupling part, above acorresponding joining space. The membrane is configured as aninjection-molded skin if a slide actuator includes plastic. In order toproduce the joining connection, the membrane is cut or pierced, in afirst joining step, by way of the joining arms of the coupling part, forwhich purpose each joining arm is advantageously provided with anintegrally formed, blade-like cutting-edge contour at the free end. Inthis case, the cutting-edge contour, which runs transversely to thelongitudinal direction of the joining arm and is expediently formed bytwo cutting arms, projects beyond the V-shaped supporting contour of thejoining arms.

In order to fix the joining arms in position in the plug-in connection,each joining arm has an integrally formed portion in the form of atransverse web which is integrally formed on the joining arm, in theregion between the cutting arms, at the free end on that side of thejoining arm which is directed away from the supporting contour. In thejoining connection, the transverse web of the joining arm engages behinda stop, provided on the slide actuator, in the manner of an undercut.

In order to ensure play-free synchronous movement of the coupled slideactuator, and thus of the multi-pole snap-action slides, the couplingpart has at least one clamping nose.

By way of the or each clamping nose, in the joining connection, thecoupling part is prestressed in relation to the slide actuator in thelongitudinal direction of the joining arm and/or transversely thereto.The play which is necessary for latching the snap-action element and forproducing the joining connection is achieved here in that thecorresponding blocking contour of the slide actuator is configured in adeformable manner. Thus, as force is exerted via the coupling part, itcan move away from the corresponding snap-action element, expedientlydesigned as a snap-action hook, with elastic spring-back action.

For handling purposes during the synchronous actuation of thesnap-action slides, the coupling part expediently has a trough-likefinger hollow, preferably provided with corrugations, as a handgrip. Asa result, all the snap-action slides of the device arrangement, whichare coupled to the slide actuator, can easily be moved by hand by way ofthe coupling part. It is further possible, if appropriate, for a tool,for example a screwdriver, to be positioned on the handgrip.

The advantages achieved by the invention reside, in particular, in that,by the provision of a separate coupling part, it is possible for theslide actuator of a device arrangement with a corresponding number ofseries installation devices to be coupled to one another in aparticularly straightforward manner. Thus, snap-action slidesinteracting with the slide actuator can be actuated synchronously. Onthe other hand, it is also possible for said slide actuator to beprovided in single-pole devices. It is thus possible for the seriesinstallation devices configured with such a slide actuator, with asimultaneously small storage supply being required, during theproduction of the devices, both individually and—with the use of furtherindividual or additional parts necessary for multi-pole devices—in amulti-pole device arrangement.

Furthermore, even with a plurality of series installation devices inclosely packed distribution, the coupling part is always accessible in aparticularly straightforward manner since the handling points arelocated on the front accessible region of the series installationdevices. The joining connection, which is advantageously play-free inrelation to the slide actuator as a result of the prestressing of thecoupling part, avoids, in practice, any displacement loss of the slideactuator by deformation of the coupling part. This may be influencedparticularly advantageously in that the coupling part has a flexorallyrigid cross section and includes, for example, a material with a highglass-fill content. A glass-fiber-reinforced plastic with a glass-fibercontent of preferably 50% is particularly suitable for this purpose.

On the one hand the active surfaces of the snap-action connection, whichbutt against one another in the joining connection of the coupling partwith the slide actuator and, on the other hand, the supporting contoursin the plug-in connection, which are expediently designed as centeringsurfaces, allow force to be introduced specifically to the individualslide actuator both during release, and thus unlocking, of thesnap-action slides interacting therewith and during locking of the sameon the mounting rail. In the joining connection with the slide actuator,the coupling part allows particularly smooth actuation, which is easy torealize using the fingers and thus without any tools, of the snap-actionslides. The smoothness of the opening and closing movements is ensuredby avoiding additional friction in the guidance of the slide actuator,as a result of symmetrical force introduction.

On account of the expediently non-releasable joining connection, whichis realized, on the one hand, by a positionally fixed plug-in connectionwith undercut, and on the other hand, by a snap-action connection,undesired dismantling is reliably avoided. The joining connection canthus be produced straightforwardly without any waste and without anyadditional tools being used. The corresponding operation of installingthe coupling part on the multi-pole devices can also be automated.

The joining connection can be realized in a manner which isstraightforward in terms of design and assembly, and is thuscost-effective, by the coupling part being plugged and then snapped intothe slide actuator, since preliminary punching of the slide actuator isdispensed with on account of the cutting-edge surfaces or contoursintegrally formed on the joining arms of the coupling part. Since theopening for the plug-in connection of the coupling part is only producedduring the assembly operation by virtue of membranes provided on theslide actuator being severed, the opening is always closed in the caseof a single-pole device, with the result that dirt cannot penetrate intothe device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detailhereinbelow, with reference to a drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of a multi-pole devicearrangement with four series installation devices with slide actuator,which can be operated synchronously via a coupling part, in the closedposition,

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the device arrangement according to FIG. 1snapped onto a mounting rail,

FIG. 3 shows, in an illustration according to FIG. 1, the devicearrangement with the coupled slide actuator in the open position,

FIG. 4 shows, in an illustration according to FIG. 2, the devicearrangement released from the mounting rail on one side,

FIGS. 5a to 5 c show a perspective illustration of a coupling part for adevice arrangement which has two, three and four poles, respectively,and a number of joining arms, integrally formed on a coupling web, whichcorresponds to the number of poles,

FIG. 6 shows a detail VI from FIG. 5c on an enlarged scale with ajoining arm having a supporting contour and a cutting contour,

FIG. 7 shows a rear view of the coupling part according to FIG. 5c,

FIG. 8 shows a detail VIII from FIG. 7 on an enlarged scale withclamping noses and snap-action hooks integrally formed on the couplingweb,

FIG. 9 shows a further detail IX from FIG. 7 on an enlarged scale with atransverse web integrally formed on the joining arm,

FIG. 10 shows, in detail form, a front view of the coupling partaccording to FIGS. 5 to 9 with a V-shaped supporting contour on thejoining arm,

FIG. 11 shows a sectional illustration of the coupling part along lineXI—XI in FIG. 10,

FIG. 12 shows another sectional illustration of the coupling part alongline XII—XII in FIG. 10,

FIG. 13 shows, in detail form, a front view of a slide actuator,

FIG. 14 shows the slide actuator in a sectional illustration along lineXIV—XIV from FIG. 13,

FIG. 15 shows a front view of the coupling part and the slide actuatorin a first joining step,

FIG. 16 shows the first joining step in a perspective sectionalillustration along line XVI—XVI in FIG. 15,

FIG. 17 shows the sectional illustration of the first joining step,

FIG. 18 shows a detail XVIII from FIG. 17 on an enlarged scale with thecutting-edge contour of the coupling part butting against a closedmembrane of the slide actuator,

FIG. 19 shows, in an illustration according to FIG. 15, a coupling-partjoining arm centered on the slide actuator,

FIG. 20 shows, in a perspective sectional illustration along line XX—XXin FIG. 19, the centering and an undercut of the joining arm of thecoupling part,

FIG. 21 shows the sectional illustration according to FIG. 20,

FIG. 22 shows, in a detail XXII from FIG. 21, on an enlarged scale, theundercut of the joining arm,

FIG. 23 shows, in a perspective sectional illustration according toFIGS. 16 and 20, following a second joining step, the joining connectionbetween the coupling part and the slide actuator, and

FIG. 24 shows a sectional illustration of the joining connectionaccording to FIG. 23.

Parts which correspond to one another are provided with the samedesignations in all the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 4 show a four-pole device arrangement 1 as an example of amulti-pole arrangement, with four series installation devices 2 whichare lined up in a row one beside the other and may be positioned jointlyon a mounting rail 3. Each series installation device 2 has, on bothsides, a slide actuator 5 which can be operated from the top side 4 ofthe device and interacts in each case with a snap-action slide 6 (FIG.2).

The coupling of each slide actuator 5 of the respective seriesinstallation device 2 to the associated snap-action slide 6 ispreferably realized in the manner of a toggle-link coupling, as isillustrated and described in German Utility Model DE 297 10 310 U1. Thecoupling here is realized such that by displacement of the slideactuator 5 in the actuating direction 7. As a result of the forcedeflection, a slide movement of the snap-action slide 6 running in thedirection 8 transverse to the actuating direction 7 takes place. In thelocked state according to FIG. 2, the snap-action slide 6 engages behinda border 9 of the mounting rail 3. In the open position of the or eachslide actuator 5, the open position being illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4and being brought about by the slide actuator 5 being pulled, inactuating direction 7, towards the top side 4, the correspondingsnap-action slide 6 slides into the housing 10 of the seriesinstallation device 2, with the result that the rear engagement of themounting-rail border 9 is released and it is also possible for anindividual series installation device 2 to be displaced on the mountingrail 2 or raised off therefrom (FIG. 4).

For the synchronous actuation of all the slide actuator 5, the latterare connected to one another via a coupling part 11. In this case, thecoupling part 11 is of comb-like configuration—as is illustrated in FIG.5a to 5 c and 7. It has joining arms 11 b which are integrally formed ona coupling web 11 a and the number of which corresponds to the number ofslide actuator 5 which are to be coupled. In order to couple two slideactuators 5 of a two-pole device arrangement 1, the coupling part 11thus has, according to FIG. 5a, two spaced-apart joining arms 11 bwhich, in the installed or joined state, run in the actuating direction7. In the case of a three-pole or four-pole device arrangement 1, acoupling part 11 respectively having three or four joining arms 11 b iscorrespondingly provided. The coupling part 11 is joined preferablynon-releasably to the corresponding slide actuator 5. In the joiningconnection here, the joining arms 11 b are located in each case above aterminal connection 12 of the respective series installation device 2,the terminal connection being left free by the corresponding slideactuator 5.

As can be seen comparatively clearly from FIG. 6, each joining arm 11 bis provided with a cutting-edge contour 13 at the end on one side. Thecutting-edge contour 13 is formed by two cutting-edge arms 13 a and 13 bwhich are of blade-like form at the free end in each case and betweenwhich an undercut contour 14 is provided. The undercut contour 14, whichis flanked on both sides by the cutting-edge arms 13 a and 13 b of thecutting-edge contour 13 which runs transversely to the actuatingdirection 7, and thus transversely to the longitudinal direction 15 ofthe joining arm 11 b, has a transverse web 16 which is integrally formedon the rear side thereof, as can be seen from FIGS. 7 and 9.

Integrally formed on the coupling web 11 a, on the top edge 17 of thecoupling part 11, the top edge being located opposite the cutting-edgecontours 13, is a number of snap-action elements or snap-action hooks 18which corresponds to the number of slide actuator 5 which are to becoupled. As can be seen comparatively clearly from FIG. 8 and from FIGS.11 and 12, each snap-action element 18 projects on the rear side beyondthe coupling web 11 a of the coupling part 11. On both sides of thesnap-action element 18, clamping noses 19 a are integrally formed on thecoupling web 11 a, the noses projecting beyond the top edge 17 of thecoupling web 11 a. This can be seen comparatively clearly from FIG. 8.In this case, the snap-action elements 18 project beyond the clampingnoses 19 a in turn, as can be seen from FIGS. 10 to 12: The couplingpart 11 is provided on the rear side, preferably in the region of eachjoining arm 11 b, with protuberance-like clamping noses 19 b, which arelikewise integrally formed on the coupling web 11 a.

As can be seen particularly clearly from FIGS. 6 and 10, each joiningarm 11 b has a V-shaped supporting contour 20 which terminates above thecoupling-edge contour 13 and of which the supporting legs 20 a, 20 btogether enclose an angle α₁. This centering angle α₁ is preferablygreater than 90°, e.g. 125°.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show the slide actuator 5, in detail form, in a frontview and in longitudinal section, respectively. The slide actuator 5 hasa top joining portion 5 a and a bottom web or sliding portion 5 b withtwo webs or sidepieces 21 which, in the installed state, flank theterminal connections 12 of the corresponding series installation device2. The webs or sidepieces 21 are coupled to the respective snap-actionslide 6 in the manner illustrated and operated in German Utility ModelDE 297 10 310 U1.

The top joining portion 5 a is designed in order to accommodate thecorresponding portion of the coupling part 11 in a form-fitting manner.For this purpose, the joining portion 5 a is adapted to the contour ofthe respective portion of the coupling web 11 a and of the correspondingjoining arm 11 b. The slide actuator 5 is provided, at the top free end,with an L-shaped integrally formed portion which extends over its entirewidth and is in the form of a clip-like engagement portion 22 with ablocking contour 23 on the rear side. Provided opposite this is anabutment contour 24 which complements the supporting contour 20 of thejoining arm 11 b of the coupling part 11 and is likewise configured inthe form of a V. In this case, the abutment legs 24 a and 24 b thereof,in turn, enclose an angle α₂>90°.

The abutment contour 24 here is designed as a centering contour by theangle α₂ being greater than the centering angle α₁ of the supportingcontour 20 of the joining arm 11 b. In the region of the abutmentcontour 24, a severable membrane 25, which runs transversely to theactuating direction 7 and thus transversely to the longitudinaldirection 15 of the joining arms 11 b, is provided on the slide actuator5. The membrane is configured as a thin injection-molded skin if a slideactuator 5 consists of plastic.

As can be seen from FIG. 14, said membrane 25 bounds, on the sidelocated opposite the L-shaped engagement portion 22, an accommodatingrecess for the corresponding portion of the coupling part 11, the recessbeing open on both sides in the longitudinal direction 7 and 15. Withthe slide actuator 5 in a state in which it has not been coupled orjoined, the membrane 25 closes a joining space 26 for the free end ofthe joining arm 11 b of the coupling part 11, the joining space beinglocated above the terminal-connection space bound by the webs 21.

In this state, the slide actuator 5, and the snap-action slide 6 coupledthereto, in each individual series installation device 2 and, inparticular, in the case of a single-pole device 2 can be actuated viathe clip-like engagement portion 22. The joining space 26 here is closedby way of a membrane 25. The result is that it is not possible for anydirt to pass to the terminal connection 12. Even if the devices 2 arelined up in a row one beside the other with no distance between them, itis possible for their slide actuator 5 to be operated withoutobstruction and for the snap-action slides 6 coupled thereto to beactuated.

FIGS. 15 to 18 show, in different illustrations, a first joining stepfor producing the joining connection between the coupling part 11 andthe or each slide actuator 5 to be operated synchronously. In this case,first of all the coupling part 11 is positioned obliquely on the slideactuator 5 such that the respective cutting-edge contour 13 of thejoining arm 11 b butts against the corresponding membrane 25 (FIG. 18).By virtue of the coupling part 11 being moved in the joining direction27 (FIG. 17), the membranes 25 are severed simultaneously in practiceand the respective joining arm 11 b penetrates into the joining space 26by way of its transverse web 16.

In this plug-in connection, the respective transverse web 16 engagesbehind a corresponding undercut or stop 28 in the region of the abutmentcontour 24 of the slide actuator 5. This can be seen from FIGS. 20 to22. In the following, second joining step in the joining direction 29(FIGS. 17 and 21), the coupling part 11, which has been plugged into therespective slide actuator 5 via the joining arms 11 b, is latched to theslide actuator 5 by the snap-action element 18 on the top side 17 of thecoupling web 11 a engaging behind the blocking contour 23 of therespective slide actuator 5. The resulting joining connection betweenthe coupling part 11 and the or each slide actuator 5 is illustrated inFIGS. 23 and 24.

A form-fitting joining connection, and thus play-free synchronousmovement of the coupled slide actuator 5 and of the snap-action slides6, interacting therewith, of the multi-pole device arrangement 1, isensured here by the clamping noses 19 a and 19 b. The clamping noses 19a here prestress the coupling part 11 in the longitudinal direction 7,while the clamping noses 19 b prestress the coupling part 11 in thetransverse direction 8 within the joining connection with the slideactuator 5. This ensures play-free mounting of the coupling part 11 inthe slide actuator 5. The clamping noses or integrally formed portions19 a and 19 b thus ensure that the snap-action elements 18 and theblocking contours 23 remain pressed one upon the other in the joiningconnection of the coupling part 11 with the slide actuator 5. The playfor latching the snap-action elements or snap-action hooks 18, and isnecessary for assembly purposes, i.e. for producing the joiningconnection, is ensured via a deformation or recess 30 on the respectiveslide actuator 5 as a result of the action of force during theinstallation of the coupling part 11.

The clamping or over-dimensioned noses 19 a, which are arrangedsymmetrically alongside the respective snap-action element 18, causeforce to be introduced symmetrically into the webs or sidepieces 21 ofthe slide actuator 5. This may additionally be assisted in that thecoupling part 11 is of particularly flexorally rigid configuration. Thesymmetrical introduction of force ensures a particularly high level ofsmoothness of the slide actuator 5 during the synchronous operation viathe coupling part 11 since additional friction as a result of tilting ofthe slide actuator 5 in the guidance region is avoided.

For user-friendly actuation of the slide actuator 5, the coupling part11, in the region of the coupling web 11 a, has a trough-like orhollow-like finger hollow 31, running in the transverse direction 8, asa handgrip, which may be corrugated in addition. As a result, all thesynchronously operated slide actuator 5 of the device arrangement 1 canbe moved smoothly by hand via the coupling part 11. It is also possible,if appropriate, for a tool, for example a screwdriver, to be positioned,if appropriate, on the handgrip 31.

The production equipment which is necessary for producing the slideactuator 5, for example the injection mould which is provided for thispurpose, may be configured without an additional slide (open-closemould) in the region of the membrane 25, in order to produce the openingfor the coupling part 11. As a result, on account of the membrane 25being present, the injection mould does not contain anydifficult-to-coordinate marking locations in order to produce theopening for the coupling part 11. This is a considerable advantageparticularly in the case of large-scale production with multi-cavitymoulds. Thus, in addition to the moulds being subjected to only a lowlevel of wear, high efficiency of the moulds is ensured since noadditional moving parts and mould halves only have to be coordinated toa small extent. Furthermore, a trouble-free production procedure isensured on account of moulds not being particularly susceptible todisruption.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same maybe varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as adeparture from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all suchmodifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intendedto be included within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device arrangement comprising: a plurality ofseries installation devices, each installation device having asnap-action slide interacting with corresponding slide actuators forsnapping a respective one of the series installation devices onto amounting device, wherein each of the slide actuators are coupledtogether by a coupling part having comb shape so that the plurality ofsnap-action slides are synchronously moveable by the slide actuatorswith respect to the series installation devices.
 2. The devicearrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling part is retainedon each of the corresponding slide actuators of the plurality of seriesinstallation devices.
 3. The device arrangement as claimed in claim 2,wherein each of said corresponding slide actuators includes a blockingcontour, which interacts with a snap-action element provided on acoupling web, and an abutment contour, which complements a supportingcontour provided on a joining arm, wherein the joining arm, which issupported on the abutment contour via supporting contour thereof isfixed in position, and wherein the snap-action element engages behindthe blocking contour.
 4. The device arrangement as claimed in claim 3,wherein the abutment contour and the supporting contour are configuredas a V and form centering angles (α₁, α₂), the centering angle α₁ of theabutment contour being greater than the centering angle α₂ of thesupporting contour.
 5. The device arrangement as claimed in claim 2,wherein a joining arm of the coupling part includes a cutting-edgecontour at a free end, and on the corresponding slide actuators amembrane is provided which closes a joining space and which is severableby the cutting-edge contour.
 6. The device arrangement as claimed inclaim 2, wherein the cutting-edge contour is formed by two cutting-edgearms which flank an undercut contour on both sides.
 7. The devicearrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one slide actuatorhas a web form.
 8. The device arrangement as claimed claim 2, whereinthe coupling part includes a groove used as a handgrip.
 9. The devicearrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said correspondingslide actuators includes a blocking contour, which interacts with asnap-action element provided on a coupling web, and an abutment contour,which complements a supporting contour provided on a joining arm,wherein the joining arm, which is supported on the abutment contour viaa supporting contour thereof is fixed in position, and wherein thesnap-action element engages behind the blocking contour.
 10. The devicearrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein the abutment contour and thesupporting contour are configured as a V and form centering angles (α₁,α₂), the centering angle α₁ of the abutment contour being greater thanthe centering angle α₂ of the supporting contour.
 11. The devicearrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein a transverse web is providedat a free end of the at least one joining arm and a stop is provided onat least one slide actuator, and wherein the transverse web engagesbehind the stop.
 12. The device arrangement as claimed in claim 9,wherein the coupling part includes at least one clamping nose such thatthe coupling part is prestressed in relation to at least one slideactuator in a longitudinal direction and the at least one joining arm ina direction transverse to the longitudinal direction.
 13. The devicearrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein a joining arm of the couplingpart includes a cutting-edge contour at a free end, and on thecorresponding slide actuators a membrane is provided which closes ajoining space.
 14. The device arrangement as claimed in claim 13,wherein the cutting-edge contour is formed by two cutting-edge armswhich flank an undercut contour on both sides.
 15. The devicearrangement as claimed in claim 13, wherein a transverse web is providedat a free end of at least one joining arm and a stop is provided on atleast one slide actuator, and wherein the transverse web engages behindthe stop.
 16. The device arrangement as claimed in claim 13, wherein thecoupling part includes at least one clamping nose such that the couplingpart is prestressed in relation to at least one slide actuator in alongitudinal direction of the at least one joining arm and transverselyto the longitudinal direction.
 17. The device arrangement as claimed inclaim 1, wherein at least one slide actuator has a web form.
 18. Thedevice arrangement as claimed claim 1, wherein the coupling partincludes a groove used as a handgrip.
 19. The device arrangement asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling part includes a coupling weband a plurality of joining arms.
 20. A method comprising: coupling aplurality of slide actuators together with a coupling part having a combshape, the plurality of slide actuators corresponding to a respectiveplurality of snap-action slides of series installation devices; andactuating the plurality of snap-action slides synchronously based uponthe snap-action slides being coupled together and being synchronouslymoveable.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the coupling part includesa coupling web and a plurality of joining arms.
 22. An apparatuscomprising: means for coupling a plurality of slide actuators together,the means for coupling having a comb shape; and a plurality of attachingmeans, each corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of slideactuators, for attaching the coupled actuators to a mounting device,wherein the plurality of attaching means for attaching are adapted to bemoved synchronously based upon the plurality of slide actuators beingcoupled together.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the means forcoupling includes a coupling web and a plurality of joining arms.